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One of the year's biggest LGBT events returns this weekend: the LGBT PrideDay Parade and Festival. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

The 23rd annual Pride Day LGBT Parade and Festival takes place during International Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and features live music, DJs, food, drinks and a festive parade that runs from the gayborhood to Penn’s Landing.

It all goes down this Sunday, June 10, and the theme is “Pride Links Us Together.”

The Parade

The parade forms at 13th and Locust, in the heart of the gayborhood, and kicks off at exactly noon. There are four performance locations at 12th and Locust, 11th and Locust, Judging stand at Independence Mall and 2nd and Market.

The parade continues over Market Street, then proceeds over the ramp across I-95, and ends at the main gate of the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. The parade will not use Front Street this year because of SEPTA rerouting.

New this year will be the spectacular appearance of the Wells Fargo Stagecoach, complete with horses.

The Festival

The gates at the festival will also open at noon. The crowds grow steadily until the parade arrives around 1:30 p.m. so it’s wise to stake out a spot early. The LGBT Festival is the largest single day event at Penn’s Landing.

Festival features include great drinks (Stoli Pinki is new this year!), 9 food vendors on location, Dunk Tank operated by Sisters, 50 craft vendors, 80 community organizations, a family zone where you can build bird houses, a pet zone and a “Unite Here” booth where couples can wed. Wendy Williams is the headliner, and Master of Ceremonies is Henri David.

Parade-watching is free, but admission to the fest is $10. See you out there!

2012 LGBT PrideDay Parade And Festival
When: Sunday, June 10, noon
Where: Parade kicks off at 13th and Locust and winds up at Penn’s Landing, where festival takes place
Cost: Parade is free; festival is $10
More info: www.phillypride.org